Response To Aarif's Novel Questions - Andrew Davis

1.) Santiago's parents originally thought he would be a priest when he grew up.

2.) Fatima, Santiago's crush, most likely found love in that time. This can be mainly because Santiago had spent countless hours studying and focusing on alchemy, rather than following Fatima and staying with her. Plus, since he is a traveller, Fatima would have most likely gotten lost somewhere in the world while Santiago is busy travelling. Due to this fact, it is not likely they will see each other in a long time.

3.) This serves a particular role in the story; it shows how man can be pitted against the very harsh challenges that nature can throw, and how man can overcome those challenges. For example, when Santiago attempts to cross the Egyptian desert, he is faced with intense heat, a lack of water, and a sandstorm, but manages to get through those challenges regardless. But it also, however, presented itself as an ally to Santiago. For example, when he and the Alchemist are captured by men, they only agree to release them if they can turn themselves into wind. So, Santiago thus turns to nature as an ally, and finds himself transported out afterwards.

4.) Originally, the Alchemist thinks as love as an obstacle rather than a goal.

5.) He does this because he had a vision that told him to find a treasure that lay at the foot of the Egyptian Pyramids.

Reply to Andrew Question 1 - Aarif

Santiago became a shepherd because he wanted to see other lands and how other people live. Santiago parents wanted him to be a priest but Santiago said he wants to travel. His dad gave permission and gave him some money to buy him self some sheep's.

Contemporary Relevance Newsreport - Kapilan

McGivney English Star

 1999-09-07

Santiago’s Relevance to Society

In life while trying to reach a certain goal don’t you meet the faces of tough obstacles? Well in the book The Alchemist, written by Paulo Coelho, a  boy named Santiago goes through quite a lot to overcome his obstacles and reach his personal legend. Most people cannot get past obstacles without a few friends, and that’s why Santiago comes across a few friends and mentors that help him become successful in fulfilling his dreams.  Santiago goes through a lot of problems throughout the novel. He overcomes and solves them with his friends. Another big support for him was Fatima his lover. Santiago faces a lot of problems but the theme of most of his obstacles was man vs society.

The first example of Santiago’s obstacle being society is when Santiago comes to the oasis. He sees an omen in the desert that he thinks is the route to war, inspite of how the oasis is supposed to sustain itself as a neutral zone. Even as angst runs throughout his body, Santiago tells the leaders what he had saw and how there are possible chances of danger approaching. The leader listen to what he had to say but in return they reply that if he is wrong, he will be killed. Nevertheless they will get prepared for what is said to come. Another example of man vs. society to overcome his obstacles is when the alchemist and Santiago walk in the desert where they’re captured by a group of men. The alchemist says to the men that Santiago is dangerous and could turn into wind. This provokes the men and puts Santiago on the spot. At this point he (Santiago) feels like everyone is now against him leading into man vs society. After going through all these problems Santiago starts to become more of a civilized man.

Responses - Kapilan from Terry's question 3

3. In return,Santiago has made and agreement to give Melchizedek one-tenth of his flock, if Melchizedek helps Santiago pursue his Personal Legend. He also promises to make his own decisions.

Response - Terry from Kapilan's question 4

    4. Santiago is willingly wanting to follow his tradition, but he also he starts to not follow his tradition when he wants to go after his Personal Legend. He also does not become a priest as his parents wanted him to be, and he leaves his tradition home that he has lived in for quite a while. 

Novel Questions - Kapilan

1. In the novel The Alchemist, what philosophy does The Alchemist have approaching the feeling of love?
2. Explain what advice The Alchemist gives to Santiago? What emotions are shown from the wise advice by The Alchemist?
3.  Why does the desert have such high value,and what sort of symbolism does the grain of sand have?
4. In Santiago's personal life tradition plays a vital role. tradition also plays a important role to the people he comes across. Explain in different ways on how the author shows various perspectives of tradition, throughout the novel?
5. What is the special reason that Santiago became a shepherd than rather being a priest as his parents wished ?

The Alchemist Novel Questions - Andrew Davis

1.) What was Santiago's true meaning for becoming a shepherd? Was he forced to do this? If so, why?

2.) Who is Melchizedek? What is his significance in appearing before Santiago? In what way does he offer to help Santiago, for what price, and why?

3.) What is described in the story as having the potential to be able to shatter one's confidence in pursuing their destiny? How does this briefly affect Santiago at one point in the story? Does this 'thing' attempt to shatter Santiago's will to pursue his destiny in the story another time?

4.) After all that the Englishman had travelled, he does eventually meet the Alchemist. But, when he does meet him for the first time, what does the alchemist tell him and why? In your opinion, do you think what the Alchemist tells the Englishman is cruel, taking into consideration the countless miles that the Englishman travelled to see just The Alchemist? Or does it make sense, due to the Alchemist's wiseness? Why?

5.) How does the Alchemist view about materialistic wealth?

Novel Questions - Aarif

1. What did Santiago’s parents originally hope he would be when he grew up?


2.What do you think happened to the girl that Santiago had a crush on back in Spain?


3. What is the role of nature in The Alchemist?


4.What attitude does The Alchemist take toward romantic love?


5.Why did Santiago go to Egypt?

Analysis of Setting - Aarif Siddiqi

The setting of the book was in between the year of 1926 and 1938. The main plot of the alchemist takes place in the Spanish pastures, the Spanish town of Tarifa, the city of Tangier in North Africa, and the Sahara desert. Paulo Coelho writes the novel around Santiago who is the protagonist in the book. Santiago is a shepherd in Spain and realized he must go to the pyramids of Egypt and find his treasure.

The novel starts of with Santiago and his herd being at a abandoned church. It was very dark and cold that day in Spain. The story moves on and Santiago wants to follow his personal legend.

Paulo Coelho wrote the book in past tense so he can go back and forth throughout the book for a better understanding. The point of view is third person omniscient. The author knows everything but moves character to character allowing events to be interpreted by several different voices. In my section Santiago the main protagonist falls in love with an Arab girl named Fatima. They both love and care for each other.


In my section Santiago and the Alchemist both go to the pyramids of Egypt to get Santiago's treasure. They are both walking through the Sahara Desert which his hot and tiring. This was Santiago's personal legend to find the treasure. But when he met Fatima all he wanted was to be with her. But Fatima told him to go follow his personal legend. There was a lot of love between Santiago and Fatima in my section.


In the novel there was a lot of omens and dreams. And this led to a lot of foreshadowing.

Novel Questions - Terry Eugine

1. What is the name of the shepherd boy? How long has he been a shepherd? What is the name of the region that he lives in?

2. What is the significance of Santiago becoming a shepherd rather then a priest, as his parents expected? Why did he make the choice to leave the seminary at the age of sixteen after learning to read and write? What does being a shepherd allow him to do?

3. Once Santiago believes he understands his heart, with agreement does he ask of it, and what does he promise it in return?

4. How has the character of the Crystal Merchant been tricked over time into believing " the world's greatest lie", as Melchizedek called it?  

5. What are the similarities and differences of both Santiago and The English man?